Prepping brass fittings

[Bedford County Doc]

I could use a "little" guidance on how to best make the brass pieces of my rifle look like they should. What files should I invest it? Is there a specific grit of paper I should use? Is there a specific technique I should be using?
Thanks much!

 

[rich pierce]

Half round files are the most versatile. I have about 20 of them from needle files to large ones 16” long with a variety of cuts. I’d say a set of needle files is essential for anyone doing gun work.

After filing, wet or dry sandpaper 240, 320, and 400 will suffice.

 

[Bedford County Doc]

Half round files are the most versatile. I have about 20 of them from needle files to large ones 16” long with a variety of cuts. I’d say a set of needle files is essential for anyone doing gun work.

After filing, wet or dry sandpaper 240, 320, and 400 will suffice.

What do you mean by a "variety of cuts"? Are there better brands of files or places to procure files?

 

[rich pierce]

What do you mean by a "variety of cuts"? Are there better brands of files or places to procure files?

Files run coarse to fine, regular cut and bastard cut which is sort of cross hatched. Cuts on fine needle files run from 0-4. A #4 is finer than you’ll need. Search for some websites like this one for more information. https://www.appropedia.org/Filing_metal

 

[Polecat_Tom]

After filing and sanding I go over my brass with Scotch Bright to put a satin finish on it.

 

[1950DAVE]

A short treatise on files.
https://www.theengineerspost.com/types-of-file-tools/

 

[Rebel bull]

be sure to buy the best you can afford nicholson is the cheapest I personally will buy and use my needle files are Swiss or German the one set is 60 years old and still cuts as new

 

[Eric Krewson]

I find those fingernail boards women use come in handy for sanding in the lines of finials.

 

[Jay Templin]

I find those fingernail boards women use come in handy for sanding in the lines of finials.

I use a lot of those emery boards for wood carving cleanups, too. Cheap ones work fine.
Jay

 

[ZUG]

Here some tips to remember: First - when using a new file on brass keep that file dedicated for brass only - it will cut better and last longer than if you use it for both steel and brass. Second - clean your files often of clogged teeth ("metal pings" that clog the teeth). A file card works. A thin piece of brass will dislodge small brass/steel particles. Third - don't bare down on the file hard to get it to cut let it do the cutting not you doing the heavy pushing it down on your work.

I like to use a flat or half round piece of wooden stick of different lengths and widths with different grits of abrasive cloth stuck to the sticks with double sided tape. When this abrasive gets worn I replace it with another fresh piece. I keep a few different shapes handy as I prep the brass parts. Cheap- easy-and works better than a file most of the time. Good luck and take your time - its tedious work and not fun.

 

[EC121]

To prep brass fittings look for all the casting lines. They wouldn't appear on properly finished furniture. Satin finish, bright, or blacked is your decision. Just get all the cleaning scratches out of the metal to get a uniform surface.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I use a lot of those emery boards for wood carving cleanups, too. Cheap ones work fine.
Jay

And you can cut them into various shapes and profiles to best fit the need.

 

[Joemolf]

I could use a "little" guidance on how to best make the brass pieces of my rifle look like they should. What files should I invest it? Is there a specific grit of paper I should use? Is there a specific technique I should be using?
Thanks much!

Once you get it it’s amazing how nice they finish needle file with a safe edge for the thimbles and a larger smooth file to knock down the cast lugs. I then spend time a lot of time sanding up to 600. Taping sandpaper to ice cream sticks worked for me on my lock and then burnished with scotch brite or a fine wire wheel. Just take your time and if you like you can polish them using a wheel. All good recommendations.